Kawatan let out a bit of a yawn as he walked down the darkened street of Canterlot. It had been a long trip, but he was finally here! But... now what? Why did that 'magic' thing have to be so finicky?! Alas here he was, very few bits to his name and too much time on his paws. With the traveling cloak wrapped about him and his tail concealed he appeared to simply be a traveling zebra. However it would be worth noting that there would be no sound coming from his 'hoofsteps'! He really hoped he'd find an inn or hotel around here somewhere, his wings were getting an awful cramp. As the 'heart' of Equestria there was bound to be one around here somewhere, right?!
Night Wave was flying her rounds when she noticed somepony walking down the darkened streets, so swooped down towards the lone wanderer and touched down a few steps away from him clearing her throat gently. "Good evening citizen are you lost? the night area is a few blocks from here." she'd give him a fanged smile as she folded her wings along her sides.
Flashgun was your atypical tourist. He had come to Canterlot for a bit of sightseeing, but he only had a short time to do so! His boss and him were to head back out to Ponyville on the first train of the day for the Hearts and Hooves celebration. He was pretty excited about it as back in Manehatten they didn't celebrate it so widely, and rumors of Ponyville's festivals were quite well known even of the far off island city. He had stopped at a shoppe for what was his eighth cup of coffee for the night. The sadny colored stallion sat at the shop's exit, chugging down that warm treat. With only a scarf to keep him warm and a small allowence of bits from the company to keep fed he had to budget his consumption to pure liquid energy. He was woke, bouncing around Canterlot streets at night. He was staying at a nearby hotel so his boss wasn't too miffed about him being out late! With camera in hoof he would take pictures of the capital city.
Myrria found a cave, little more than a stone nook, some distance above the city after her last little appearance; what a disaster that was! It wouldn't deter her from returning, however, and she hoped this time her visit would be more fortuitous. She spied a brief silhouette of something flying over the city before she took off herself, soaring down on silent wings. Once she was close enough, she could pick up on what few ponies were still traversing the streets. She picked a relatively empty spot to land, rather than picking one of the alleys; they were too narrow for her wings. Now.. where could she go to first? Myrria felt she could easily pick one of the flimsy shop doors, perhaps a jewelry store for the gems. Oh the choices.
Kawatan perked his ears at the gentle sound of wings and turned to see one of the night guard descend to land not too far from him. "Ah... actually I am! I'm looking for an inn. Something cheap preferably as alas I have rather few bits to my name at the moment." His accent was, to be blunt, all over the place but at the same time neutral. While he'd grown up in the safari zones of the land (snrks) he'd done quite a bit of traveling and had been forced to learn several dialects over the course of his life. His gaze drifted about and he blinked as his gaze brushed across a pony near another shop down the road. Alas he didn't have sight upon the dragon but how long would that last?
Night Wave thought a moment and nodded at the sphinx thinking him a zebra currently. "Well there is the Hammock and Haversack on Westmane they are pretty cheap, 5 bits for sleeping or 7 if you want a meal too, would you like me to show you there? small caution though stay away from Easthoof, they're not too fond of ah exotic species."
Flashgun was as jittery as they came. He often stopped to take pictures of the most arbitrary things. Lampposts, doors, signs -- all victims to the hyper pony's interest. He would sit with his hoof on the shutter, focused down the street. His zooooooOm came upon a black booty with white stripes. Or -- a white booty, with black stripes. Now it could have been the caffine induced haze making him mad -- but there was something strange about that. Paint? A uniquely bizzare cutie mark? Raising his telescopic lense he would come upon an unexpected visage. What is this exotic creature? The glimmer of light would reflect off the lense and -- click. Picture shot.
Myrria found the street she'd chosen completely empty, but none of the shops she peered into were anything she wanted. It was mostly food, closed down cafes and restaurants, and maybe a few clothing shops. Bah. She slinked over to the next street, her gait noticeably odd considering her forelimbs, and peered around the corner of a building. She froze when she spotted two ponies, one in a cloak, together. The flash of something further back drew her eye, where a third pony awaited. With a camera. That was bad. She had to think fast and slowly started backing up, hoping none of the three spotted her. Nnope!
Kawatan lets out an odd sound as he listens to the warning. If only she knew just 'how' exotic, huh? With the ghost of a smile alighting on his muzzle. "I-well... an escort might be Ni~" The sudden flash caused him to jump straight up in the air at least two or three pony-heights in fright only quietly fall back down on his paws and spin to look for the source while backing away with his ears flat. His eyes widened at the camera-bearing pony and he let out a quiet cat-like hiss that was quickly stifled. Scared kitty much? He was going to blow his cover! The dragon's head poking out from around a building was completely missed.... blind kitty much?
Night Wave twitched her ears also having been startled by the flash as she heard the pony next to her his? she shook her head some thinking she merely imagined that. "Do not worry sir, it is probably a tourist to our fair city or some newspaper pony." she also missed seeing the dragon as the distracting flash had caught her attention.
Flashgun was apparently too intrigued with the butt stripes and followed the clocked pony as they jumped up. "Whopps. Eey forgot the take off the flash again." Though he wouldn't be called Flash Gun otherwise. "Ahh..." He let go of his camera, the body swinging from the strap around his neck. he trotted down the way toward the pair. "Sorry, sorry, is aw ya'll aw'right?" That strange accent of a born Manhattener. His ears flicked against his auburn mane, eyes pinched up in a nervous smile as he approached. He hadn't meant to spook the country pones, but man they spooked easy it seemed. he had not noticed the creeping shadow, his attention on the striped butt. "Ey, yo is that a 'tat?" he tilted his head curiously.
Myrria heard no shouts, let alone anything that marked her discovery, which allowed her to relax. She lingered just around the corner, trying her best to listen in on what she could hear. The one pony did indeed have a camera, and it had flashed when she'd shown her face. It meant she was probably in the picture. Albeit probably just her head and face, and not much else.. but yet.. Cameras were unpleasant. Knowing somepony had a picture of her now was angering. Pictures could be used to mock. Baring her teeth, Myrria slinked back to make her way down to the narrow alley adjacent to the street. She found an ideal opening between two buildings and lay in wait. Her plan was simple: surprise them, grab camera, fly away before anypony knew what happened. Yep. Myrria waited for her target to pass (and what an interesting accent
that was) before she leapt out at him with a roar, claws reaching for his damnable device. Surprise!
Kawatan straightened up his posture and perked his ears again. "I-Okay..." h'd say with a shaky breath. That flash had scared the fur off of him just about. The fur on his back and neck were still standing on end! He shook himself and the very tip of his tail might have been visible pushing up the back of the cloak. All was safe! "I thought we were under attack for a moment." he'd groan only to sigh and wait for the camera bearing pony to approach. He began to move to meet the pony half way, his paws all but silent on the stone. "It is okay, dear sir... Just my nerves. Bright flashing lights at night are unpleasant!" he'd say only for a dragon to suddenly jump out of the nearby alley! A dragon?! His heart all but leapt into his throat as his instincts automatically dropped into 'fight' and he pounced up at the dragon. Should nothing prevent it, he was abruptly clinging to her face! His heart eyes went wide as he'd realize his position. Why by the stars did he do such a crazy thing!
Night Wave scuffed both forehooves along the ground to unsheath her hoof blades and jumped back as the night exploded into action all of a sudden, watching a dragon leapt out of nowhere and her wings flared out fully. "Stop right there dr.. what in Luna's name are you doing citizen!? are you out of your mind?"
Flashgun rubbed the back of his head, chuckling. "Eyy sorry man. You just looked neat." He sat back on his haunches and held up his camera. "Can't help it." He admitted to his weakness post haste. He looked to the Night Guard, blinking a bit. "Eee--whoa!" Cat-man-doo was suddenly off. Flash slowly bright the camera to his face and click. Picture shot! "Was'he gettin' into a brooawl?" Gods that accent. Course him flashing the alley probably lit it up. Forgot to take off the flash again -- whoops.
Myrria had been tackled from the side by something before she could even get anywhere near her target. She fell heavily on her side with something on her face, something that she tried to push off with her odd forelegs. Despite the way her wings made her look, she was really a small hybrid, whoever this creature was.. well. "Get off!" Myrria snarled, prepared to use her teeth if such a command were denied. She had no qualms hurting ponies. She heard one of the others shouting, and a flash in her peripheral vision; the camera! Myrria unfolded a wing, curling it up to try to block the shot.
Kawatan let out an 'eep' at the snarl and hopped off of the dragon's face. "Sorry!" would be said only for him to land on the ground and trip over his already awkwardly twisted cloak. That sent him tumbling head over paws getting even more tangled! "Confounded fabric!" he'd squirm in the bind he found himself in. One paw was free at least letting him try to fiddle with the clasp that had been holding the cloak shut. Another wing jutted awkwardly out from the side while his tail lashed against the pavement. Twisted himself into a right knot he had! Silly cat.
Night Wave gave her wings a flap at the outright chaos going on, stepping closer to Flashgun to protect him if need be yelling at both dragon and zebra.. wing? not zebra. "Both of you stand down in name of the princesses, failure to cooperate will only make it worse for you, this is a warning." yup do it by the book bat, don't get freaked out by the dragon and the zebra? not zebra. "And you sir please stop using that camera."
Flashgun winced at the command and lowered his camera. "Sorry." He chuckled, backing up. He wasn't an abnormal pony, but man this stripey-butt guy was really unique. What was he wrestling? Maybe Canterlot had Rockagators in the sewers like the stories in Manehatten say. Some ponies try to keep the babies as pets, end up flushing them, or something. He slowly raised his camera again, watching the guy go hoof to hoff with probably a rockagator. Man this was a good night! Canterlot was choice for some weird happenings it seemed.
Myrria's vision was finally unhindered as her attacker jumped off. The dragon rolled herself back onto her feet, her wings slightly wrinkled and half folded, to watch the striped one trip over his own cloth. She would have laughed at him, if not for the command. Myrria stood to eye a pony with.. strange wings. Like dragon wings, but different. Still, she was a pony, in armor, accepted. "You can't tell me what to do,
pony!" Myrria spat, shaking out her wings before folding them. Her gaze shifted past the guard to the stallion with the camera, who she eyed with some distaste. She still hadn't forgotten him. He'd at least stopped taking pictures, but for the striped one.. he didn't exactly look like a full-blooded pony either. Interesting.
Kawatan managed to unclasp the cloth after unsheathing a claw. Just took a wee bit more reach than he had! The cloak was shaken off bit by bit until he kicked a paw and the cloth fell in a heap. His chest was heaving from all the effort and the small bit of anxiety that the presence of the dragon was causing. Half of him wanted to go from that place but the other half wanted to fight the creature! He shook himself to fluff his fur back up and even turned to briefly check over the feathers upon his large wings. He eyed the camera that was slowly raising and narrowed his eyes. "Put the damn camera down, that flash is really disorienting! The abruptly grumpy cat/zebra shot him a look, even baring his fangs, and turned back to the guard and the hybrid dragon. As nonchalantly as he could he raised and slipped the cloak back on to cover all but his head again.
Night Wave eyed both of them, this was going to be one of those nights wasn't it? now then what did we have here? looking at Myrria she'd stomp a hoof. "As long as you're here in this city you will listen to the guard ma'am." then looked at Kawatan she'd raise an eyebrow. "When I said exotic I didn't expect that much." finally she folded her wings back and stared. "Now then what is going on?"
Flashgun lowered his camera again. "Oh, sorry." he apologized. "Wowzersthough, ain't never seen no -- um." He looekd to the Night Guard, ears flickering. "What are they? Who are they? Man Canterlot sure has some sights." He raises his camera and takes a picture of the two of them. Whoops, forgot
Myrria had to laugh when the thestral called her 'ma'am'. That was
rich! She shook out her mane. "I would beg to differ~." The dragon said. "Alas, I fear that
gentlecolt there caught me on camera, and I don't believe I ever
consented to having my picture taken." Myrria continued in a smooth tone of voice, trying to hold back her anger. It was even more of a struggle when the stallion's camera flashed at them again. "Hand over that camera so I can.. get rid of those pictures."
Kawatan let out another hiss and rounded upon the camera-holding pony! "Stop that!" he'd say as he tried to get the spots out of his eyes! He brought a paw up and rubbed those poor eyes even as he heard the dragon speak. "I would much rather there were no pictures of me circling around here too!" he'd say with a bit of a flat look and his ears laid back. "I mean - come on! How would ponies react if they knew there was one of me ~ or one of her about!" he gestured at the dragon as his mane stood on end, giving his 'crest' the perfect cockatiel look!
Night Wave sighed always, always on her patrols the strangest things come out to play, turning to Flash she'd tilt her head and lifted a forehoof. "For the sake of public ease of mind and respecting the wishes of these two individuals, would you be willing to erase the photos made of them sir?" she'd ask hoping that the visiting stallion wouldn't make too much of a fuss about it, dealing with a dragon and a not zebra was tough enough yet.
Flashgun blinked at the dragon-horse-lady- thing. Excuse you? "This is a matta a public opinion. Ponies gotta know da truth! Freedom a da press, ya'know?" He backed up, head lowering as he scuffed his hoof against the ground. The earth pony wasn't afraid of no rockagator-thing whatever in Tatarus she was. "Ey yo, you ain't go no right ta demand my photographs. PLus ain't they disturbin the peace?" He made a face at the dragonlady before looking at stripe butt. "I was merely admiring his hindquarters.
Myrria immediately scowled when the picture-taking stallion immediately refused all of their requests. She was getting a little impatient. The draconequus stepped forward, her horned head lowering slightly. "Oh, we have all the right in Equestria to demand them." She purred, baring those sharp pearly whites at the stallion. "You certainly wouldn't want something bad happening to that nice camera of yours, wouldn't you?" The three of them weren't normal ponies, while he was. She wondered if they'd all unite against him with her.. That gave her an idea.
Kawatan let out an irritated grumble as he flicked an ear. "Camera's are expensive... It would be best just to take the film out and burn that..." he'd suggest only to let out a bit of a frown and lash his tail under the cloak. "But if he won't give it up... then I suppose so..." he'd say with a frown. If he needed to skip town after this he could! The feline was not happy about being blinded and having his image at risk of being published somewhere! It could get ponies looking for him... And he didn't want to be found!
Night Wave nodded at Flashgun as he had a few valid points there. "I know that you're allowed to take pictures in public areas sir, and legally I can't force you but would it be much of a problem to give them up so that this lady and stallion won't be exposed against their will?" she smiled disarmingly as she sat down to see if she could reason with him. "Now now threats are surely unneeded in this situation and will only enforce his claim of disturbing the peace."
Flashgun stared at them as they all ganged up on him. "Oya, what is this a lynchin'?" He sat back on his haunches. "Sorry pals, but I got a duty to da people a' Equestria, ya'know." He raised his camera and click, in an attempt to blind them all for escape. "I need this camera, and this film for the festival. Later country bumpkins!" And he would turn to attempt to make his escape!
Myrria smirked when the two beside her did exactly what she wanted. She'd made a valid point, if it could be called that. "I was hardly disturbing the peace, when all I wanted was to not have my picture taken." The dragon said, pulling a little pout. She didn't expect him to run off, however. Oh, he was going to get it~. "I think we should go after him. Burning those pictures does sound like a good idea." Myrria suggested to the other hybrid and the bat pony. She didn't really want to wait for them to answer, though, and would have taken off after the stallion with her odd loping gait, once her eyes readjusted after that flash!
Kawatan perked his ears and tried to raise a paw to block his eyes. "Hey, stop!" he'd cry after he found himself blinded. He tried to start to run after them only to once again trip upon his cloak and fell right on his face with his rump in the air. "Oooowww.." he'd groan only to just lay there while massaging his poor jaw... Hopefully the dragon could catch the wayward paparazzi because he was waiting for the canaries to stop circling his head.
Night Wave's world exploded into blinding pain right there, the flash right in the bat's sensitive night adjusted eyes staggering her as she rubbed a hoof over her eyes groaning, wings flapping in a moment of distress. "Augh! y-you stop! stop right there c-citizen!"
Flashgun booked it! He ran for dear life back toward the hotel! It was all he could do! He couldn't call Myrria for her bluff and now the guard was after him! He mad a bit of a mess but didn't tourists always?
Myrria's irritation with the camera pony's stubborn refusal had blossomed into outright anger again after being blinded.. The blinding was temporary, but not her fury. The dragon had rubbed furiously at her eyes until her vision returned before she made off after him.. or she tried to. She lost sight of him after a turn of corners, which was unfortunate. Myrria was certain she had his scent, but it was difficult with so many others overlaid in the city. She could be persistent and hunt him down, yet.. ultimately she'd probably have to return to the other two. Myrria had yet to learn their names, and she found it important enough to do so.
Kawatan shakes his head and shrugs off his cloak. With a flare of his large wings he takes to the air! He was unaware that the dragon hadn't been able to follow the camera-wielding pony but once up in the air he caught sight of the stallion scurrying away down the street. He flapped his wings and almost silently dove after him. His intention? Dropping onto the stallion and wrapping his paws around him before pulling him once again back into the air! Should that work he'd fly the stallion back and drop him in front of the dragon.
Night Wave blinked her eyes and finally had stopped rubbing them, of course everypony was gone by now and the bat pondered on what to do, guessing she'd file a report on this after a cursory search maybe, so took off into the skies to look for them.
Flashgun screamed like a filly as he was swooped upon by some bird-of prey! He flopped on his back and narrowed his eyes on the bird-pone. Raising his camera. Click. He would attempt to flee again like some flash-bomb using ninja.
Myrria had turned back to return to the duo, but here the zebra cat had dropped the camera-wielder right into her claws! He had done better than she could have, which was admirable. "Good job," She crooned, approaching their, or rather her, victim. She had scarcely begun to reach for his camera when he brought it up, and the resulting flash blinded her again. It had been aimed at the zebra, she'd noticed before then, but gods did it still hurt her sensitive eyes! Myrria batted out blindly, hoping to knock it out of his hooves.
Kawatan let out a groan as the light flashed out. He'd luckily have had his eyes closed when the flash went off but it seemed his dragon 'friend', just comrade really, wasn't quite so lucky. He dove after the pony yet again but this time he would have also stretched for the camera! He missed the camera but his outstretched claw sliced the lanyard the camera was upon! Hope the pony thought to catch it otherwise it'd be hitting the ground!
Night Wave flew over Canterlot wondering where the trio had gone off to but did not manage to find them, with a soft sigh she would turn and fly towards the barracks, filing a report on the incident seemed like a good idea and she would look for them again later if they were still around.
Flashgun's self preservation instincts were... pretty low. She he would once again flash the group, 4x before popping the camera up to balance on his muzzle. Seeing as he had no telekinesis and hooves, he had to be able to balance the camera in dire situations. He would rush to his hooves and bounce away, still hopped up on caffeine like a hedgehog on chili dogs.
Myrria's claws had met thin air, as she'd no idea that the pony had taken off, not until she heard the clip-clop of hooves. She groaned and settled down on her elbows to rub at her eyes, and her ears caught the sound of four clicks. He was taking more pictures, although the zebra was probably dealing with him. Maybe. Once Myrria's vision cleared, she was up with a roar, taking wing after the annoying stallion. It was her turn to swoop down on him, but rather than picking him up, she chose to tackle him from behind. Her patience was running thin and she would not be flashed again!
Kawatan managed to cover his face from the first three flashes, but thinking the pony had finished he uncovered his face only to get flashed once again! Damn pony! He tried to dive after the fleeing pony only to find out he was going the wrong way. This resulted in him flying face-first into the nearby wall! If this were a cartoon there would have been the sound of a bell as his skull impacted the stone wall. He toppled to the ground with blood now staining the fur of his forehead and a semi-dazed look in his eye as he quickly shook his head. Owch!
Flashgun had, once again, screamed like a filly when the draconequus descended on hi. For all he knew she was a rocagator juvenile, no risking it. He managed to not fumble his camera, four more flashes. With Kawatan apparently having a date with the wall, one less creature to worry about. Zebrony or Zepegasus, whatever he was! He would once again, make way to flee, making sure to keep his precious paycheck in tow. Ho ho ho!
Myrria grinned viciously when the pony squealed the moment her weight landed on him. She had him, finally had him! Unfortunately, he still had his damned camera. The dragon could not defend quick enough against the four pictures he took of her, effectively blinding her so he could slip right through her talons. Myrria cursed him with the foulest words she could think of, all while she lay on the ground with her claws over her poor eyes. Where was the striped feline hybrid when she needed him? She'd been too preoccupied to notice his own failure.
Kawatan was currently very concussed, just laying there.
Flashgun got the heck out of dodge, right back to the hotel and not tell his boss -- anything. Til morning.
Myrria had to lay there and wait until she regained her vision again, which took a lot longer considering how many times she'd been flashed. The sound of the pony's hooves had receded, telling her that she had lost her quarry. For good this time. She groaned and finally sat up, rubbing at her eyes again before she could give her surroundings a good look. Nothing. Empty. Myrria huffed, smoke curling from her nostrils. He won this night, but she'd hunt him down.. for now, she thought to turn back and see where the other hybrid was. She might as well help him, once she found the situation he was in; he might come in use to her later.
Kawatan was still crumpled at the base of the wall with a silly look upon his muzzle. However when the dragon appeared he'd somehow manage to focus upon her. "Ooooh! You get the pizza? I wan' some noms." he'd mumble out as his tail laid as limp upon the stone as he was. Yep, the impact to the wall had sent the feline a little barmy for the time being! Blood covered his forehead and down on side of his muzzle form the head-wound he received ramming into the wall as he did.
Myrria found where the striped one had ended up, lying at the base of a wall with blood on his face. She made a face at his wound and shook her head. "You poor thing, you shouldn't be eating. I should drop you off at a clinic for this." She murmured, pondering how she was going to carry him when he was bigger than her. "Look at how terribly they treat freaks such as us!" Myrria scoffed, reaching for the back of his cloak, where she felt she could drag him easily enough. "The next we meet, we should do something about him.. but until then, what's your name? If you can tell me, that is." Myrria was all too aware how much he'd been knocked silly, but it would have been a waste not to try.
Kawatan gazed up at Myrria and tried to shake his head to clear the cobwebs and.... Did it work? No... "Ooooh, but Pizza sounds nice... Maybe with spinach and anchovies... and mushrooms! And.... uh... stromboli!" he purred as his head dropped back onto his forelegs. Part of his dazed head registered what she was saying and he let out a whine. "No clinic! Ponies see me! I have magic pills in my cloak!" he tried to fumble with said cloak even as he was being drug by said cloak. "I'm Kawatan oh dragony one of awesome! Let me get you a taco! ~ Oh... I want a taco now..."
Myrria had to stop dragging him for a moment, pausing when he reached the point of 'magic pills.' She supposed he had a point on not wanting to be seen. She didn't either. "Why didn't you say so sooner?" The dragon said, lowering him to the ground so she could bat his paws away and rifle through his cloak herself. "Kawatan.. I am Myrria." Myrria introduced, producing the pills for the other hybrid should she be able to find them. "What in Equestria is a taco?"
Kawatan let out an 'eep' and let his paw be batted away. The dragon was free to find his bag and then to look thorugh everything in said bag. There were gemstones, bits, various trinkets, what looked like a skeleton key, and various other do-dads that might or might not be recognizable. (feel free to make up something if ya want - he 'is' a thief.) "Wonderful to meet you!" he'd reply with a bit of a purr... Th pills took a little to find but she eventually would, and he'd happily take them in his still delusional state. "Oh! A taco is a... uh.. crispy tor-totiu-tortilu... uh..crispy thingy.. folded over with vegetables and stuff inside! Could put fish... Some gryphons like meat in them! Dragons like gem tacos..."
Myrria, suffice to say, was surprised at the veritable hoard within Kawatan's bag. A few things that were tempting to take for herself while he was still unaware and helpless.. but she resisted. If he discovered it, it would do no good for her, not when she was trying to win him onto her side. Myrria sat back while he took the pills, and rambled on about what tacos were. "They sound interesting enough. It matters little to me whether they are meat or gems, but both sounds good. I'd certainly take you up on such an offer."
Kawatan continued to hum a little as he imagined the tacos he could have! Thankfully Myrria gave him the pills though and he took two... No more for the rest of the day otherwise he'd be getting overdosed on magic with no way to expel the excess! As the cool magic flooded his body he fell quiet and simply groaned... It took about five minutes but the dazed look in his eye started to fade even if his eyes took on a greenish glow. "Uuugh.. what happened?" His memory of the last ten minutes was fairly sketchy!
Myrria sat back and waited patiently for the hybrid when he groaned and seemed to come back to himself. "You took quite a hard knock to the head." She told him, and explained the rest as honestly as she could; which would be a surprise. "You rambled about food, like pizza and tacos.. but I at least got your name out of all of it." Myrria gave a flip of her wrist. "If I must tell you mine again, it is Myrria." She purred. "If not for your odd medicine, I had half a mind to drag you to the nearest clinic! Alas. I regret to inform you that that dratted pony escaped my claws as well as yours."
Kawatan shifted to push himself up into a sitting position of his own. One of his soft-ish paws raised to rub at his muzzle and came away with blood from the wound on his pads. "Ooh yeah... I think I flew into the wall..." he muttered only to focus his attention upon Myrria attentively. "I... well, thank you for not. I wouldn't want to deal with ponies. It is bad enough for zebra.." he'd say with a sigh as his long tail curled around his paws and his wings folded. "We'll probably come across him again. Oh! He's probably here for the festivities! ~ They were in Ponyville, yes?" he'd ask with his head quirked to the side.
Myrria slid her tail around to pat at the zebra-cat's shoulder with a sympathetic pout. "I entirely understand the situation. I mean, look at me. I'm not exactly a welcome sight." She snorted and fixed a quizzical eye upon Kawatan. "I.. know little of these festivities, or what day it is I'm afraid. He may very well be, which presents us a prime opportunity to get him. Luckily I possess the ability to breathe fire, we can certainly burn the film.. though if he angers me again like he did this night, I may just melt his entire camera." Myrria's voice dropped into a low growl. She presented a talon to shake. "Shall we work together to get that nuisance, then?"
Kawatan let out a smile and glanced at the tail patting his shoulder. His gold eyes focused back upon Myrria once again. "The festivities are tomorrow... Hearts and Hooves day I think they call it. I was intending to attend the festivities anyways. It should be easy to keep an eye out for out errant camera foal. That accent would be obvious... I find myself wanting to smash that dear camera of his to! I'm still seeing spots in my eyes!" he whined as he brought a paw up to wipe his eyes again. "But that is tomorrow! I believe I may have promised you tacos. Still want some?" he asked with an almost cheshire smile. Such a unique 'friend' he'd found! Kawatan held his paw up and took the dragon's talon. "Indeed! Let's get that pony and his wee camera too!"
Myrria would have felt a terrible glee if she'd only known he had considered her a friend, however temporary. Fortunately or unfortunately, for either one of them, she couldn't read minds. She could still feel triumph when he shook her talon, agreeing to catching the stallion together. "Wonderful! I suppose we shall meet tomorrow," Myrria declared, her nose wrinkling at Hearts and Hooves day. Loathsome day. "Certainly. I'm quite famished after that annoyance."
Kawatan nodded sagely and got up onto his paws, stretching in an obviously cat-like manner as joints popped and his tail swished. "Do you know of anywhere more private where I can set up? I have what I need in the bag to make tacos, I think, but I doubt they'd let both of us into an inn..." After all it was more difficult for his current companion to hide!
Myrria lifted a claw to her chin, ponderous as she looked up to the mountain the city sat on. Her cave was hardly big enough for herself and her current companion.. "I suppose we can always find a ledge, or.. there is a stretch of greenery between the town and the castle. Private enough, while these wretches sleep the night away." Myrra pointed out, dropping her claw and lifting her wings a little, ready for flight. "Take your pick."
Kawatan let out a shrug. "A ledge would work. I've had worse." he'd say as he flared his wings and gathered his cloak and bag once again. A few more flaps of his wings and he was in the air, ready to follow the dragon to the ledge. Once there he'd set down and start getting things out of his bag. A few hats, some... boots?... Odd... A few more things until he let out an 'aha' and pulled out some taco-shells and a some fish. "Ugh.. now I need a fire." he'd start to look around for firewood!
Myrria smirked and took flight, soaring up towards the dark, moontouched mountain for a big enough ledge. There were plenty, but not quite.. Ah! She found one that looked suitable enough and landed upon it. Once her new companion appeared and expressed the need for firewood, she snorted. "Stay." She ordered and tilted off the edge of the stone, dipping down towards one of the few, winter-bare trees Canterlot had as decoration. It was little matter to scoop up a few branches before she returned, dumping them in a pile. Her jaws parted, and with a short gust of flame, set them alight. "Will that do?"
Kawatan sat on his haunches and waited as his current companion flew down and retrieved some... branches? He nodded and flicked his tail when they were set down and the fire lit. "Wonderful!" Thus he started to cook the fish and set up a few sticks to heat the taco shells as well. A good several minutes later he pulled some of the shells and fish off and made fish tacos! Some of the smaller gemstones from the bag and he passed them and the tacos to Myrria. That way if she wanted she could use the gems as... seasoning of some sort? odd seasoning.
Myrria sat back, leaning against the cold stone while the other hybrid cooked the fish and the shells for their meal. Their combined smell, the fish more than the shells, smelled rather enticing- more so to a dragon on an empty stomach. It growled low as though in acknowledgement. The food was done soon enough, and Myrria was glad to receive it- it and the gems. She tried one of these 'tacos' on its own, and found it tasty. She tried the next with some of the gems, her sharp teeth easily crunching through the precious stones. "How tasty. If you don't mind my asking.. what exactly are you, hm? I also couldn't help but notice your.. interesting array of belongings."
Kawatan took a couple of fish tacos for himself but lest the vast majority for his current companion to munch on. So like... Two for him and six for her? One fish was able to be diced into several and he'd cooked three fish. Plenty of fish for both of them! Ah these pony bags were so useful! "I'm well... a Zebrican sphinx... The result of an.. umm.. peculiar union between one of the zebra and a pure tiger sphinx..." He used a claw to draw in the dirt before he flicked the dirt from his claw and sighed. "My occupation... lets me travel ~ A lot." he'd smile sheepishly, hoping that would suffice as an answer!
Myrria munched down hungrily on her tacos while she had the opportunity, while he talked away. This was a good moment as ever to learn a little about who she might be using for her own ends; which currently amounted to 'get the pony with the camera and make him wish he'd never messed with her.' "A sphinx?" Myrria repeated. "Intriguing combination. And what a strange occupation that is. The inside of your bag could almost resemble my growing hoard." She noted.
Kawatan let out a cheshire grin and inclined his head. "Oooh? Well... A cat like me does tend to get his paws upon quite a few things." his tail curled around his paws as he watched the dragon eat. "I'm a.. well... reclaimer, mostly. I take things back for ponies who have 'lost' something! Doesn't mean I can't take a few more things for myself, though!" he'd say with a dismissive wave of his paw. "Most of the stuff those ponies have are stolen property anyways..."
Myrria started on a third taco as she waited for his answer, and had to sound a 'huh' of interest. She paused in between bites to speak. "A thief, in other words." It was a blunt observation, but she didn't speak further until her food was done with. Mmm. "I steal simply because I want to, not to help any ponies. I could say it nice of you to bother, but what do I care about nice? I'm above those lesser creatures, and I'll take what I will." Myrria shrugged. "Still, good on you. It seems like cats and dragons are no different."
Kawatan lets out a shrug and scrapes his claws upon the stone. "It gives me something to do.... I get rather bored." he'd say only to grin. "Plus taking the jobs for the ponies lets me find out just 'who' has all the good loot! I get the job, sneak in and steal the stuff, sneak out and give them their little trinket... Then word of my 'good deed' gets out and other ponies seek my retrieval services. It isn't like ponies will report stolen goods being stolen! I just head to the nearest guild representative outside of Equestria and sell off what I get for a good bit of bits and continue right along with few worries about guards!"
Myrria didn't start on the next taco; in fact, she was thinking of keeping her last three for the morning. She didn't want to stuff herself all in one go, and wake up hungry with nothing to eat. The dragon would save them, though the few gems she had left, she munched on quite happily while she listened. "That's a fine idea, but much easier for you to put off. You look enough like a pony to hide what you are to trick those fools. I cannot. I enjoy what I already do, so it's a fair enough trade off." Myrria snorted her amusement. "Anyway, I suppose I should go somewhere to sleep, and perhaps plot for tomorrow~. I'm not letting that nuisance get off without punishment."
Kawatan shrugs some. "Perhaps I'll bring you along on some of my jobs if we keep in touch... That way both of us could get some loot. I can't say how many times somepony like yourself would have been... quite useful." he smirked some and flicked his ear. "I'll go ahead and stay here for the night... I don't trust going back into town after our dear photographer...." he'd say with a grump as he laid down and rest his head upon his forepaws. He'd stick close to that nice warm fire though!
Myrria gathered up her remaining food in one claw, determined to be off to rest and recover in a dark cave after tonight's havoc. "Is that so? I would adore that." The dragon crooned, leaning up from her lazy slouch against the mountainside. It was little matter of getting on to three feet, with her wings and tail as balance. "A wise choice. Well, I shall be around in a cave nearby, should I be needed.. though I'd prefer my slumber to go unbothered." Myrria said with a little nod of her head. "Until tomorrow, Kawatan." Myrra added, spreading her wings. Once she heard any form of goodbye she would be off, back to roost in her chosen haunt.
Kawatan smiled some at his companion and flicked his tail one last time. "Good night, Myrra... May the night take you in her sweet embrace." he'd reply only to rest his head down and sigh quietly. It would be a long and somewhat... dull, perhaps lonesome... night, but he was used to being out on his own with nopony else around. Just another day of the same thing! He stared at the fire and likely would continue to do so until he drifted to sleep.
The End.
